On this day: February 26

2012: Trayvon Martin, 17, is shot and killed during a violent encounter with neighborhood watch coordinator George Zimmerman in Sanford, Florida. Zimmerman had visible injuries and claimed he was acting in self-defense when he shot Martin. On April 11, 2012, Zimmerman was charged with second-degree murder. Allegations of racist motivation for both the shooting and police conduct, the initial decision not to charge Zimmerman, and questions about Florida's "Stand Your Ground" law brought the case to national and international attention. On July 13, 2013, his trial for second-degree murder and manslaughter ended in acquittal.

The Grand Canyon becomes a national park, Michael Jackson's "Thriller" album hits No. 1, a truck bomb explodes under the World Trade Center, and teenager Trayvon Martin is shot and killed, all on this day.